Over 60 professionals battled it out today at Redditch Golf Club, Worcestershire with two spots up for grabs in the 2015 Northern Ireland Open in association with SPHERE Global and Ulster Bank, and it was Luke Towler and Ryan Evans who sealed their places in the prestigious event.
Heavy rain met the early starters, but Towler (Telford Golf & Country Club) sealed his place in the European Challenge Tour event with a superb 2-under 70 in the worst of the conditions to lead the field.
As the day wore on, the rain eased and the wind picked up; nonetheless, it was two more early starters who joined Towler with scores under-par. Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth GC), fresh off a second place finish in the PGA Europro Tour’s World Snooker Open last week and Evans (Wellingborough), who finished T-25th in the Made in Denmark Challenge over the weekend both shot 1-under par 71s and with no other players breaking par, a playoff would decide the second spot. Both players parred the first four playoff holes with Evans eventually sealing his spot in the 2015 NI Open via a birdie on the fifth hole of sudden death.
A special mention must go to Redditch GC, who put on a superb day with dozens of volunteers making the first Northern Ireland Open Pre-Qualifier in England a tremendous success, played on a course in superb condition.
The NI Open has captured the imagination in recent years with record crowds attending Galgorm to see the likes of Michael Hoey, Tournament Ambassador and five-time European Tour winner, and other household names in action.
“We are fortunate the NI Open holds a key date on the international schedule and will be looking to attract the game’s top players to Ballymena at the start of August for what promises to be another festival of tournament golf right here in Northern Ireland”, explains Gary Henry, Managing Director Galgorm Castle Estates and NI Open Tournament Director.
In three weeks’ time, amateurs will also get their chance to qualify for the NI Open through the annual North of Ireland Amateur Strokeplay played at Galgorm Castle. The 36-hole strokeplay event will take place on Tuesday, June 9th with the winner to receive an invite to the NI Open.
Entry for the North of Ireland Strokeplay Tournament is £25 (€30) and the closing date is Monday, June 2nd, entry forms are available via www.niopen.co.uk/news or http://www.galgormcastle.com/event/1396/
For further information please contact Galgorm Castle on 028 2564 6161 or email golf@galgormcastle.com
